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Unless I am misinformed (hey it's happened before), Snell certification requires the helmet to take multiple blows to the same spot. Like would happen in a race car with a roll cage. Motorcycle riders tend to tumble when they crash and rarely suffer multiple impacts to the same spot. Go on Schuberth's site and look around. They are serious about head protection.

I like the Schuberth C3, but is a $700+ helmet worth it, especially if it's not Snell certified? Am I placing too much value on Snell certification?

Yes.

FMVSS 218 AKA DOT specs call for no more than 250G of force applied to your head. Snell M2005 helmets could allow up to 300G. The current Snell M2010 standard reduced that amount to 275G. The Snell standard is somewhat moot in that the helmet still had to meet the more stringent FMVSS 218 with respect to impact force for legal use in much of the US.

When it comes to rattling your brain around in your skull less force is better. Snell is nice, but not an absolute must have IMHO. Note: If you are racing the race organizers may specify Snell... a friend had to borrow a helmet for runs on the salt flats at Bonneville due to a Snell requirement.

Schuberth meets both DOT and the European ECE 22.05 standards. This might have changed, but last I knew there was no modular helmet that had a Snell certification. This is not necessarily to say that a modular helmet if submitted for Snell testing could not pass, but I believe that Snell will not test and thus will never approve a modular.

As I understand it, the DOT certification process is based on manufacturer's data, not necessarily on independent testing. Snell certification requires actual testing by an independent organization (Snell Foundation), using helmets pulled from a production line.
I wear a C3 and it's the best helmet I have owned. Quiet, light, comfortable, ventilates very well, never fogs, doesnt leak, and excellent features. To each his own. You can certainly find a safe helmet for 1/3 the price of a C3, but on the other hand, an uncomfortable, noisy, leaking, fogged up, Snell-certified helmet is not safe.

Quiet, light, comfortable, ventilates very well, never fogs, doesnt leak, and excellent features. To each his own. You can certainly find a safe helmet for 1/3 the price of a C3, but on the other hand, an uncomfortable, noisy, leaking, fogged up, Snell-certified helmet is not safe.

Snell certification isn't going to matter to your head if you crash. All crashes are different. If you crash in a $129 helmet and have no head injuries, then the $129 helmet did its job. If you crash in a $700 Snell approved helmet and end up a vegetable, then maybe the helmet didn't do its job.
Only you can decide if its worth it. How's that for helpful ?
By the way, I use a Schuberth C2, but not always. I must say it has been the most comfortable helmet I've had. Since I haven't crashed it, I can't say if its worth the price.

I'll echo previous comments regarding the Snell rating being a non-issue with the C3. The helmet is well worth the cost if not for the superior standards to which it is rated, then certainly for the quality and comfort is provides.

Ed Miller, Calgary, AB
2008 K1200GT, 2009 F800GS
I can't wait to retire and have a fixed income. The one I have now is always broke.

I have multiple helmets from cheapies about 100.00 to my C3 with the SRC.

They all serve the same function. Protecting your melon should it impact something. They test the hell out of all of them.

There is an enormous difference in the $179.00 helmet & the $699 for the C3. That difference is in comfort, noise, dealer & manufacturer support.

My C3 is the most comfortable helmet that's ever been on my head. It is very quiet (as in it's quieter to ride my RT1200 with the windshield up & my C3 on than my Lexus) on the highway at 70-80 mph. The fit & workmanship is very good.

Now, for the good part...when the need arises for some form of support, either from the dealer, or the manufacturer, dealing with a premium product (at an arguably premium price) there is enough profit built in to the C3 that they fall all over themselves ensuring that you're happy, not just satisfied. Even when something does go wrong.

The very best part is you have something protecting your head if (heaven forbid) you have an off that causes you to strike it on something.

Just my .02 & experience.

FWIW, I bought my wife a C3W also, and will buy more Schuberth products without a second thought.

My $40 half helmet saved my life when I got hit. Given the severity of the wreck and what could have happened, I've opted for a full helmet for the time being. I'd love to have a modular, but I can't find one that fits right. I have a log-oval Arai head, and I've found nothing that works nearly as well as far as comfort, ventilation, and sound abatement. My head wouldn't abide more than 30 seconds in the C3.

I have a C3 that is a liitle over a year old, and the helmet liner is coming apart. I wear a helmet silk, but that didn't seem to help.

Ever considered calling Schuberth and discussing it with them ? I have a C2 that had a problem with the shade not retracting. It was four years old. I called them, they said send it in. They repaired it at no charge, cleaned it up, and sent it back with a new bag.
I was amazed. I just wish they weren't so expensive.